Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39832981›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Efficacy of yeast beta-glucan 1,3/1,6 supplementation on respiratory infection, fatigue, immune markers and gut health among moderate stress adults in Klang Valley of Malaysia: protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

Nur Nadia Mohamad Habibullah, Suzana Shahar, Munirah Ismail, Norhayati Ibrahim, Mohd Zul Amin Kamaruddin, Shirley Gee Hoon Tang, Mohd Faisal Abdul Hamid, Kalavathy Ramasamy

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nur Nadia Mohamad HabibullahDietetics Programme, Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-8131-6601
Suzana ShaharDietetics Programme, Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia suzana.shahar@ukm.edu.my.
Munirah IsmailDietetics Programme, Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Norhayati IbrahimClinical Psychology Programme, Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mohd Zul Amin KamaruddinDietetics Programme, Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Shirley Gee Hoon TangBiomedical Science Programme, Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mohd Faisal Abdul HamidRespiratory Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Cheras Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kalavathy RamasamyCollaborative Drug Discovery Research (CDDR) Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Selangor, Bandar Puncak Alam, Malaysia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionYeast beta-glucan (YBG) are recognised for enhancing the immune system by activating macrophages, a key defence mechanism. Given the global prevalence and impact of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) on productivity and healthcare costs, YBG has shown promise as a potential therapeutic and preventive strategy for recurrent respiratory tract infections. However, little is known regarding the efficacy of YBG at lower dosages in relation to URTI, fatigue, immune response and uncertainties of how they affect the gut microbiota composition. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This 12-week randomised, double-blinded, placebo control, parallel-group clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of YBG 1,3/1,6 on respiratory tract infection, fatigue, immune markers and gut health among adults with moderate stress. The study involves 198 adults aged 18-59 years with moderate stress levels as assessed using Perceived Stress Scale 10 (score 14-26) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (score ≥9); and had symptoms of common colds for the past 6 months as assessed using Jackson Cold Scale. These participants will be randomised into three groups, receiving YBG 1,3/1,6 at either 120 mg, 204 mg or a placebo. The outcomes measures include respiratory infection symptoms, fatigue, mood state and quality of life assessed using Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptoms Scale, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Profile of Mood State and Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire, respectively. In addition, full blood analysis and assessment of immune, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers will be taken. Secondary outcome includes gut microbiota analysis using stool samples via 16S rRNA sequencing. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The research protocol of the study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM/PPI/111/8/JEP-2023-211). The findings will be disseminated to participants, healthcare professionals and researchers via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN48336189.

Indexed as

beta-GlucansDietary SupplementsFatigueRespiratory Tract InfectionsStress, PsychologicalAdolescentAdultBiomarkersDouble-Blind MethodFemaleGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansMalaysiaMaleMiddle AgedRandomized Controlled Trials as Topicbeta-GlucansBiomarkersClinical TrialCOMPLEMENTARY MEDICINEImmunologyNUTRITION & DIETETICS

Identifiers

PMID39832981
PMCPMC11749537

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.